State Record Fish

Missouri has a long, proud tradition of fishing, and its abundant lakes and streams have produced exceptional fish. MDC has developed the State Record Fish Program to acknowledge and honor anglers who have caught the largest recorded fish from a list of recognized species found in Missouri waters.

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  1. To qualify, the applicant’s fish must:
    • be captured by legal methods from Missouri waters,
    • be a species included on the Missouri State Record Fish list.
    • meet or exceed the current record.
  2. New open records must meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum weight for that species to be considered.
  3. Anglers may be recognized in two different categories: “pole and line” or “alternative methods” (this includes trotlines, throwlines, limblines, banklines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, bow, crossbow or atlatl).
  4. Fish must be weighed on a certified scale in the presence of an employee of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
  5. The entry must be examined and identified by a Department of Conservation Fisheries Biologist or Conservation Agent familiar with the genus. If these persons cannot identify the species with certainty, they must seek the assistance of a designated fish identification expert. Call (573) 522-4115 ext. 3501 for assistance in finding and contacting the nearest identification expert.
  6. Genetic testing will be performed by the Missouri Department of Conservation when necessary for positive identification at no cost to the applicant. Potential record fish may be frozen, but should not be mounted or consumed prior to receipt of a letter confirming the record.
  7. A color photo of the fish is required.
Think you have a record?
State Record Fish Entry Form243.61 KB
State Record Fish Entry Form
Master Angler Award

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 137

Alternative Method: Throwline: Sunfish: Longear

Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Longear sunfish laying on dipnet.
MDC
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Longear sunfish laying on dipnet.
Weight
5 oz.
Lake or Stream
Frieda Lake
Date
05/08/2023
Angler
John F. Goad
Hometown
Jefferson City, MO
Note

Tie

Pole and line: Flier

Open
Tyler Goodale holds his state record flier and another similarly-sized fish.
MDC Staff
1/1
Tyler Goodale holds his state record flier and another similarly-sized fish.
Weight
11 oz.
Lake or Stream
Duck Creek Pool #1
Date
03/26/2023
Angler
Tyler Goodale
Hometown
Doniphan, MO

Alternative Method: Bow: Bullhead: Brown

Open
Mitchell Dering holding a brown bullhead.
MDC
1/1
Mitchell Dering holding a brown bullhead.
Weight
4 lbs.
0 oz.
Lake or Stream
Duck Creek Ditch #105
Date
03/14/2023
Angler
Mitchell Dering
Hometown
Fairdealing, MO

Pole and line: Sucker: Blue

Travis Uebinger holds state record blue sucker
MDC confirms Travis Uebinger is the first state record holder of 2023 after catching an 11-pound, 5-ounce blue sucker Jan. 15 from the Osage River.
MDC photo
1/1
Travis Uebinger holds state record blue sucker
Free to use
Weight
11 lbs.
5 oz.
Lake or Stream
Osage River
Date
01/15/2023
Angler
Travis Uebinger
Hometown
Auxvasse, MO

Alternative Method: Bow: Sunfish: Redear

Andrew Hunt holding redear sunfish while standing in front of a fishing boat.
MDC
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Andrew Hunt holding redear sunfish while standing in front of a fishing boat.
Weight
2 lbs.
2 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake Taneycomo
Date
06/04/2022
Angler
Andrew Hunt
Hometown
Hollister, MO

Alternative Method: Trotline: Walleye

Recognized before the requirement to meet or exceed the Master Angler minimum was instituted.
Tim Stilling in black ball cap and sunglasses, with outstretched arms, holds walleye.
MDC
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Tim Stilling in black ball cap and sunglasses, with outstretched arms, holds walleye.
Weight
7 lbs.
8 oz.
Lake or Stream
Sac River
Date
05/16/2022
Angler
Tim Stillings
Hometown
Morrisville, MO

Alternative Method: Snagging: Paddlefish

Jim Dain holding paddlefish.
MDC
1/1
Jim Dain holding paddlefish.
Free to use
Weight
140 lbs.
10 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake of the Ozarks
Date
03/18/2022
Angler
Jim Dain
Hometown
Pittsfield, IL

Alternative Method: Bow: Quillback

Josh Lawmaster holding quillback fish.
MDC
1/1
Josh Lawmaster holding quillback fish.
Free to use
Weight
8 lbs.
5 oz.
Lake or Stream
Table Rock Lake
Date
03/15/2022
Angler
Josh Lawmaster
Hometown
LaRussell, MO

Pole and line: Eel: American

Carlin Allison holds his state record American eel
Carlin Allison of Doniphan now holds a rare state record for American eel after reeling in a 6-pound, 15-ounce fish on the Current River. MDC confirms this is the ninth state record fish recorded in 2021.
Photo courtesy Carlin Allison
1/1
Carlin Allison holds his state record American eel
Weight
6 lbs.
15 oz.
Lake or Stream
Current River
Date
07/26/2021
Angler
Carlin Allison
Hometown
Doniphan

Alternative Method: Bow: Carp: Bighead

Matthew Neuling standing next to his bighead carp that is hanging from the ceiling.
MDC
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Matthew Neuling standing next to his bighead carp that is hanging from the ceiling.
Weight
125 lbs.
5 oz.
Lake or Stream
Lake Perry
Date
07/24/2021
Angler
Matthew Neuling
Hometown
Perryville